• A verdict was rendered on a bizarre incident that occurred in 2010. The case revealed that racial violence can happen anywhere and can come from any age groups.

• There’s exciting news for fans of “Akira.” Producer/director Nguyen-Anh Nguyen, a die-hard fan himself, is working on The Akira Project to create “a live action fan trailer of the renowned manga-turned-anime.” A four-day shoot is planned for September 2012. They desperately need funding. Help them if you can.

• It’s sad reading about premature cancer deaths among Vietnamese Americans, especially because the reluctance among the first and second generation groups to obtain medical help has been documented since the 1980s. The situation may be changing, though, at least, in the southern California areas, thanks to medical professionals, like Jacqueline Tran, Carolynn Nguyen, Ngoc Bui-Tong, and Bichlien Nguyen. I like Tran’s clever pitch to her patients: “If you take care of your health, then you will be here to care for your family.” Props to all you wonderful healthcare professionals and thank you for your dedication to helping our community.

News about Việt Nam

• Awesome! A 1,000-year-old Chăm tower is unearthed in Phong Le Village, Cam Le District in the central city of Da Nang. What a wonderful opportunity for someone to document the discovery and share it with others. Hint! Hint!

• After spending over $200 billion destroying Southeast Asia, and spraying “about 20 million gallons of Agent Orange” in Vietnam, U.S. officials think the $43 million “program” is going to solve the AO problem. Oh, happy days. What? Who said, “too little . . . and very late”? Oh, right, I forgot. It’s the American Way: delay and don’t pay.

• Alright, folks, you need whiskey for this one. Here are some complaints about the government that you’ve heard before: “Trumped-up charges,” “communist rulers were either afraid of China, or, worst case, acting on China’s behest,” and “the party’s oppression of free speech runs counter to the people’s patriotism.” Well, “Spring” is around the corner. Get my drift? Nevertheless, compatriots, read on.

• Recently, Japan, South Korea, and Russia have joined the party of six countries–Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China–that are claiming territorial rights in the East Sea. Of course, everyone wants the party to go their way, but with China flexing its muscle uncontested the result will probably be the China way. While “all eyes are now on the U.S.,” unfortunately, the U.S. is reluctant to get involved.

• Okay, folks. There’s good news in this story: Laotian women are working to clear 46 million bomblets from US cluster bombs, “the deadly legacy of America’s bombing campaigns of 1964-1973.” Unfortunately, about 50,000 people have been killed or injured since 1964 as a result of these unexploded ordnance. Umm, so I guess this news is mostly depressing, but read the article for the “good” news. I suggest you first have some chamomile tea before you continue reading.

• By now your brain is probably mush from all the news; so here’s a non sequitur for you.

• One last thing: I know this didn’t happen in August, but I would like to include this moving talk from Tan Le to remind us of our past, of our present. Once in a while we need to go back into our hearts, away from the distractions of daily activities. Warning: facial tissues may be needed, and dormant feelings and emotions may be awakened.

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